Combined tool



' Nov. 26, 1957 w, BASSETT 2,814,107

COMBINED TOOL Original Filed Oct. 10. 1956 INVENTOR [4441. /AM 554.93577 Z 7 ATTORNEYS United States 2,814,107 Patented Nov. 26, 1957COMBINED TOOL William E. Bassett, Woodbridge, Conn.

Original application October 10, 1956, Serial No. 615,2115),

now Patent No. 2,798,290, dated July 9, 1957. Divided and thisapplication March 8, 1957, Serial No. 648,454

3 Claims. (Cl. 30-152) My invention relates to a combined tool involvinga case and plural tool elements protected by the case and selectivelyavailable for use. The present application is a division of my copendingapplication, Serial No. 615,200, filed October 10, 1956, now Patent No.2,798,290.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device of thecharacter indicated.

It is another object to provide a simplified combined tool of thecharacter indicated, wherein the selected tool may be removed andpositioned for use without disturbing the position of the other toolelements.

it is also an object to provide an improved device of the characterindicated, wherein a plurality of tool elements are supported on thesame pivot axis and in which detent means formed integrally out of thetool' elements and out of the case serve to retain selected positions ofselected tool elements independently of each other.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a very simpleconstruction which will not wear loose, which will avoid the use ofwashers, and which will require no more parts than merely the separatetool elements, the case, and the means on which they are pivoted.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention willbe pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a readingof the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only,preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing a disassembledcombined tool of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the fully assembled tool of Fig. 1,with the tool elements held in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the device ofFig. 2, with an outer or side tool element removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged left-end view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of one end of a tool caserepresenting a modification of the variety displayed in Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 3,but illustrating the modified combina-.

tion using the case of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of another modifiedcase;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view to illustratecooperation of the parts with the modification of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating a still furthermodification;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 to illustrate a modified assembly;and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 and taken in. the plane12-12 of Fig. 11. i

gBriefly stated, my invention contemplates a combined tool of utmostsimplicity, comprising essentially only a case, a plurality of bladedtool elements, and a, single pivot-fastening means securing the bladeelements to the case. Thiscase is of sheet material, preferably springsteel, of channel section defining upstanding side walls connected by abase. Novel spacer and detent mechanisms are described for permittingthe easy independent operation of a selected one of the various blademembers and for releasably holding a selected one'or more of the blademembers in closed or in open position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the invention is shown inapplication to a tool comprising five parts, namely, a case 10, threetool elements 11-12-13, and a pivot fastener 14, such as a rivet oreyelet. The tool elements are formed of fiat stock, and may be referredto as blade members. Blade member 11 has a roughened surface to serve asa file and is locally recessed at 15 for engagement by a fingernail toremove the same. Blade member 12 is contoured as a bottle-cap removerandis also locally recessed at 16 for fingernail engagement. Blademember 13 is formed with a Knife edge and may be locally recessed at 17for fingernail engagement. The case 10 is formed from a single piece ofsheet metal, folded along spaced elongated edges 18-19 to define opposedupstanding side walls 20-21 between which the blade members 11-12-13 areremovably received. The upper edge of each of the side walls may berecessed, as at 22, to provide fingernail access to the various recessedportions 15-16-11 of the blade elements. Aligned openings 22 in the sidewalls 20-21 are located near the base 27 in order to clear the outerends of all blades 11-12-13 (when closed), so that openings 22 may, forexample, accommodate a key chain or the like (not shown).

In order to provide easy-acting (that is, non-binding) frictionalretention of the blades 11-12-13, regardless of angular position, eachof the outer blades 11-13 is shown formed with a dimple or bump 23-24,offset from the pivot axis and projecting laterally to ride on theadjacent flat surface of the central blade member 12. Since the blades11-13 are cut from sheet stock, the formation of each dimple or bump23-24 necessarily involves formation of corresponding recesses 23'-24'on the blade surfaces immediately adjacent the side walls 20-21, (seeFig. 5).

in accordance with the invention, I provide further dimples or bumps25-26 in the side walls 20-21 of the case, said further bumps 25-26being in register with the recesses 23-24 for one desired angle ofretention of the blade members. For the form shown, this desiredretention angle is for the blade-closed position; thus, when thenail-file blade 11 is moved to the closed position between side walls2(9-21, the bump 25 will fall into the socket of recess 23' to locateblade 11 in the closed position.

Preferably, the rivet or eyelet 14 is tightly swaged to the side wallsso as to hold said walls frictionally against the blade members11-12-13. Thus, as a selected blade 11 or 13 is moved out of the closedposition, one

of the bumps 25-26 will ride out of the socket (23- 24') in which it isreceived, so as to more firmly axially compressionally load all blademembers against each other at their points of contact. This will mean aslight separation of one of the side walls (20-21) from theadjacentselected blade member 11 or 13) as such blade member is lifted out ofthe closed position.

Thus, while such blade member 11 or 13 is being positioned, its onlypoints of axial thrust-bearing contact with l the adjacent parts 12 and211-21 (as the case maybe) will be localized at one of the bumps23-24-25-26,, and easy action is assured for all angular positions ofsuch lar positions of the central blade 12, easy action and firm,

resilient retention areassured. J a H In accordance with a furtherfeature of the invent1on, I

provide, integrally with the blade members 11-1213 and with the case 10,coacting spring-detent means for retentionof one of the extremepositions of movement of a selected blade member, it being a particularfeature that the detent part integral with the case serves the detentparts of all the blade members in common. For the form shown, theposition of blade retention is the outer position, shown for the fileblade 11 in Fig. 3.

The pivoted end of each oftheblade members may be generally arcuate at aradius to clear the inner surface of the base 27, but at one angularlocation, as at 28 for the blade 11, andat 28-28" for the blades 1213, Iprovide a radially'projecting detent lobe. The projection of lobe 28 ispreferably of radial extent (about the pivotal axis) slightly exceedingthe space between the base.27 and the pivotal axis; thus, for detentaction to take place, one of the lobes 28 will have to bear directly onthe base 27.

I prefer that the base 27 be locally weakened at the location of contactwith lobe 28, and in Fig. 3 I show that the base 27 has been slitted todefine an integral leaf spring 29 to resiliently ride the arcuate bladeend, including lobe 28. Preferably,.the lobe 28 is so located on theblade 11 as to assume a positionon spring 29 past dead center, for therelationship shown in Fig. 3. By this I mean that lobe 28 will have hadto pass through the vertical plane (said plane being through the pivotaxis and normal to the base 27), just before assuming the position shownin Fig. 3. v

The slits defining the spring 29 preferably terminate short of the pivotend of the case so that an integral connecting piece or bridge 30defines a rigid stop to locate the extended position of a selected tooledge, said tool being provided with a notch or recess 31 to be engagedby stop 30. The spring 29 is necessarily defined bytwo elongated slitsconnected by a transverse slit 32. Preferably, this transverse slit 32is near the outer end of the case 10, so that the main body of the casemay provide primary support and reference for the spring 29. Thelongitudinal slits defining the spring 29 may be and preferably are cuton the folds defining edges 1819 of the case 10.

If desired, inwardly directed bumps 33-34 may be formed in the sidewalls -21 near the opposite end of the tool and in position to engagethe adjacent side surfaces of the outer blade members 11-13. It will beappreciated that if the case 10 is made of sufficiently strong stock,the simultaneous closure of all tool elements 1112-13 into the positionshown in Fig. 4, will necessarily involve engagement with both dimples3334, thereby slightly outwardly deforming the side walls 2021 (thedeformation being shown exaggerated in Fig. 4), so that by reaction, theadjacent side faces of the various blade members 1l.1213 may be in 'frictional contact. All blade members are thus securely retained in theclosed position so that, when the tool is carried in ones pocket, thetool elements are not at all likely to drop out of closed position.

In'Figs. 6 and 7, I show an alternative means for detent-retention ofthe blade members in the open position. Fig. 7 illustrates that detentaction involves coaction between a lobe, such as the lobe 28 on blade41, and a transverse slot or opening 42 in the base 43 of case 44. Ifdesired, a second lobe 45 may be formed at a location substantiallydiametrically opposed to the lobe 28 so as to also engage the slot 42with detent action, but for the closed-blade position, as will beunderstood.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further means of detentretention of theblades in open position, and in Fig. 9 the pivoted end of a blade 46 isshown formed with a discontinuity, such as a recess 47, to receive aninwardly pressed spring portion 48 formed integrally out of the base 49of case 50. The springportion. 48 may be defined between laterallyspaced longitudinal slits 51--52 near the location ofverticalsupport-for the blade 46. If desired, a secondrecessed.discontinuity'SJ may also be formed in the pivoted end of theblade 46, at a diametri: cally opposite location; to releasably retainthe closed position of the blade:

In Fig. 10, I show a still further alternative in-which detent actionagain involves cooperation between a part of a blade 54 andthe Ease SSof. acase 56. However, in Fig. 10, no special formation is required onthe base 55, and spring action is achieved through locally weakenedparts Ofithebla'diegSl. As shown,.a firstxdiscontinuity, bump,o'r'projection-57 on the. pivoted end of:

blade 54 is formed on a'spring, definedby slitting blade 54 at 58,sorthat as bladez'54 is1moved into'the position.

blade SA ma-y be further: slittedi at 59- so-that a second; anddiametrically opposite bump'6il may similarly retain:

the blade 54 in closedposition;v

The assembly ofFigs. 1'1 and. 12 may. inall respects resemble thatdescribed for- Figs. 1 to 5, except that an extended. a'rcuate recess61. is provided onone face of the central blade element 12.. Since theparts correspond so closely withthose of Figs. 1 to 5, they have beengiven the same reference numerals. The purpose of the recess. 61 is toreduce-the overall width requirements of the assembly and to permitaccommodation of the bumpv 23 of blade. member 11 without spacing blade11 from blade. 12. The arcuate extent of recess 61 preferably exceeds180. about the pivot axis so-that blade 12 may offer no impediment tomovement of the blade 11, regardlessof thepositionof the blade 11 withrespect to blade 12. Alsothelimit 61' of recess 61 is preferably solocated as to engage dimple 23 of blade 11 when blade 11 is closed,thereby providing. a more positive locking action to retain blade 12closed as long as blade 11 is closed, it being-understood that whenblade 11 is closed, blade 11 is positively retained by detent action at2.523'; thus, all blades, including eventhe central blade 12, arepositively referenced to the case 10 when closed. v

It will be seen that Ihave described basically simple tool.construction-s involving an absolute minimum of parts and yet featuringpositive retention of parts in selected positions. In particular, Iprovide assurance againsttool elements shaking out of position when notin use, and there is' positive detent action to hold anyselectedtoolelement in the open position. For intermediate positions,smooth t'n'rust bearing action is provided with sufficient frictionto'avoid any undue looseness.

While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred formsillustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made withinthe scope of the invention as definedin the claims which follow;

I claim: I

1. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having abase andopposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, aplurality of elongated blade members pivotallysupported on a common axisbetween said side Walls, said blade members being independently movablefrom a closed position between said side walls to anopen positionprojecting away from said case, each of said'blade members beingformednear the pivotally supported end thereof with a retaining projection atone angular. location about said axis, said base having a transverselyextending. slot near the location ofpivotalsupportof saidbladei members,saidbase being integrally joined to both said side walls on bothlongitudinal sides of the slotted regionof said base, said slotextending transversely for the combined widths of said blade members,each said projection being so located on its particular blade member asto be received in said slot when said particular blade member is in thefullopen extended position, whereby a selected blade member may beretained by detent action in the full-open extended position.

2. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having abase and opposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, aplurality of elongated blade members pivotally supported on a commonaxis between said side walls, said blade members being independentlymovable from a closed position between said side walls to an openposition projecting away from said case, each of said blade membersbeing formed near the pivotally supported end thereof with a retainingprojection at one angular location about said axis, said base having atransversely extending slot near the location of 20 pivotal support ofsaid blade members, said slot extending transversely for the combinedwidths of said blade members, each said projection being so located onits particular blade member as to be received in said slot when saidparticular blade member is in the full-open 25 extended position,whereby a selected blade member may be retained by detent action in thefull-open extended position, each said blade member being further formedwith another retaining projection at a second angular location aboutsaid axis, said second projection being so located on its particularblade member as to be received in said slot when said particular blademember is in the full-closed position, whereby for the full-openposition of one blade member and for the full-closed position of anotherblade member said slotted location may simultaneously retain both saidone and said other blade members.

3. In a tool of the character indicated, a handle comprising asingle-piece sheet-metal channel having a base and opposed upstandingside walls, said base having a retaining slot near one end, whereby anabutment may be defined by said base at said one end, said abutmentbeing integral with the adjacent portions of both said side walls, andan elongated blade member having one end thereof pivotally mountedbetween said side walls at the longitudinal location of said slot, saidblade member having a retaining projection received in said slot to holdsaid blade in the full-open extreme position relatively to said handleand in engagement with said abutment.

Hallvarson Jan. 11, 1921 Gount Mar. 12, 1935

